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Song Lyrics Thread

I know this a silly thread considering the fact that most songs aren't written in English. However, it's still possible to know what the songs are about even if they're translated. Discussion questions:

Which song lyrics are your favourites?

What are the most romantic/happy/sad/fierce/etc lyrics?

If the artist is a singer-songwriter who do you think has the best songwriting ability?

Do you like English being sprinkled into songs?

Remember to credit the translator or link to a source for common net courtesy!
I love Ayu's song lyrics- especially her ballads. Translations taken from here.

This year, another season has passed.
Memories have become faded.
The border between my vague dream and
reality has become blurred.

Even so, the dream I once told you of
had not a single lie in it.
La La-i

Today was fun,
and tomorrow will surely be fun as well.
"These days will continue forever,"
or so I thought at the time.

Throughout the endless days I felt
as if something was missing.

I blamed it on these unnatural times,
and just gave up.
La La-i

Today was very sad,
and even if I cry tomorrow,
someday the time will come that I can laugh
and remember the time we had together.

How much time must pass by,
in this finite existence of ours?
We'll live in the now,
and what will we find?

My preference is no English in the lyrics at all. Sometimes it's out of place, and often times grammatically incorrect. If one MUST add a word or two in a foreign language, I wish it would be something other than English; Sound Horizon for example has used French, Greek, German and Russian.

If the artist is a singer-songwriter who do you think has the best songwriting ability?

Do you like English being sprinkled into songs?

supercell and EGOIST have their lyrics all done by the group's leader, ryo. And I have to say he's awesome in doing both, even though he said it was hard to think of words which were appropriate for the singers. Akiko Shikata sometimes writes her own lyrics, although in Sorriso it was someone else. Her lyrics are more calm, I think, if I compare it to ryo. I love both style.

ryo often adds English phrases or sentences in his lyrics. I personally don't mind as long as it matches the song. I don't really like how Japanese pronounce English sometimes because it sounds weird, but I suppose it's hard to overcome given their strong accent. I appreciate the effort, though. And also there are some Japanese with good English. Akiko Shikata, in other side, totally love to mix many languages in her songs. Sorriso is purely in Italian, but sometimes she add Italian or German or Greek or Hymmnos (from the game Ar tonelico) and who knows how many more she can add in a song. While I don't really mind songs like that, I prefer songs in one language from top to the end. I feel like it conveys the message stronger in one language. But that's just me, maybe. XD

Re: Song Lyrics Thread

There are beautifully written lyrics!

EGOIST sings the ending theme for Psycho-Pass, right? All Alone With You is a nice song as well.

Originally Posted by phio_chan

supercell and EGOIST have their lyrics all done by the group's leader, ryo. And I have to say he's awesome in doing both, even though he said it was hard to think of words which were appropriate for the singers. Akiko Shikata sometimes writes her own lyrics, although in Sorriso it was someone else. Her lyrics are more calm, I think, if I compare it to ryo. I love both style.

That's the tough part about being a songwriter whose songs are sung by other people. Although it may sound right in one's head, it might turn out completely different depending on who's singing. At least in All Alone With You, the vocalist does a good job interpreting ryo's lyrics.

Quote:

ryo often adds English phrases or sentences in his lyrics. I personally don't mind as long as it matches the song. I don't really like how Japanese pronounce English sometimes because it sounds weird, but I suppose it's hard to overcome given their strong accent. I appreciate the effort, though. And also there are some Japanese with good English. Akiko Shikata, in other side, totally love to mix many languages in her songs. Sorriso is purely in Italian, but sometimes she add Italian or German or Greek or Hymmnos (from the game Ar tonelico) and who knows how many more she can add in a song. While I don't really mind songs like that, I prefer songs in one language from top to the end. I feel like it conveys the message stronger in one language. But that's just me, maybe. XD

There are times when accents disappear when singing, but sometimes it's hard to make out English words if the vocalist is obviously not used to the language. It also comes with confidence as well: if the singer belts out foreign lyrics without being afraid then the accent is not as noticeable. Shiina Ringo is a good example of someone who can sing in English even though she is not a native speaker.

Yeah, it can be confusing if more than one language is used in a single song. It's easier to understand what the song is about if the lyric is written the same throughout.

Quote:

And Asa-chan, Seasons lyrics is very sad but pretty!

Isn't it? I remember I used to keep a log of Ayu's lyrics, and SEASONS was one of my favourites.

Re: Song Lyrics Thread

Originally Posted by Asarii

EGOIST sings the ending theme for Psycho-Pass, right? All Alone With You is a nice song as well.

Yes, for both endings. And I love them both.

Originally Posted by Asarii

That's the tough part about being a songwriter whose songs are sung by other people. Although it may sound right in one's head, it might turn out completely different depending on who's singing. At least in All Alone With You, the vocalist does a good job interpreting ryo's lyrics.

Reading about it at Wikipedia, looks like it's especially hard for ryo because he originally composed pieces for Vocaloid to sing. Since it's not a living being, he said he didn't have to worry about strange or open lyrics. While he needs to be more thoughtful now because he composes for humans. Very interesting. But I agree that the singers do well in song interpretation. It comes with the right atmosphere. So kudos to both of them. XD

Originally Posted by Asarii

There are times when accents disappear when singing, but sometimes it's hard to make out English words if the vocalist is obviously not used to the language. It also comes with confidence as well: if the singer belts out foreign lyrics without being afraid then the accent is not as noticeable. Shiina Ringo is a good example of someone who can sing in English even though she is not a native speaker.

Yeah, it can be confusing if more than one language is used in a single song. It's easier to understand what the song is about if the lyric is written the same throughout.

I guess so, eh? Confidence helps to sharpen the performance even if you actually can't do too well. I wonder if these singers have short session in English or something when they sing with it? Or in other languages if they sing in other languages. Listeners with their native language being used in the song can tell whether the singer does well or not, so I wonder if the singers do some 'research' before using a specific language in their song for best performance. XD ***

Re: Song Lyrics Thread

Originally Posted by phio_chan

Yes, for both endings. And I love them both.

Neat! I like the previous ED too. I'd have to check out more of her songs then.

Quote:

Reading about it at Wikipedia, looks like it's especially hard for ryo because he originally composed pieces for Vocaloid to sing. Since it's not a living being, he said he didn't have to worry about strange or open lyrics. While he needs to be more thoughtful now because he composes for humans. Very interesting. But I agree that the singers do well in song interpretation. It comes with the right atmosphere. So kudos to both of them. XD

This makes sense: creating songs for Vocaloids and actual people are very different things. If something doesn't sound right, Ryo could easily adjust the program himself; it's harder to instruct someone else in comparison. (It's probably why I tend to prefer Vocaloid songs sung by Vocaloids as opposed to live covers because the "mechanical" voices are part of what makes up the songs.)

Quote:

I guess so, eh? Confidence helps to sharpen the performance even if you actually can't do too well. I wonder if these singers have short session in English or something when they sing with it? Or in other languages if they sing in other languages. Listeners with their native language being used in the song can tell whether the singer does well or not, so I wonder if the singers do some 'research' before using a specific language in their song for best performance. XD

Perhaps singers might not need a session for short simple phrases, but it's definitely needed if they're going to sing a whole chorus, verse or even the entire song in a foreign language. Japanese speakers are able to manage Italian pronunciations well so I'm not sure why not a lot of people (with strong accents) go for Italian instead!

Mizu no naka ni yoru ga yureteru
Kanashii hodo shizuka ni tatazumu
Midorinasu kishibeThe night is wavering in the water
The greening shore is so still and silent
That it is painful*

Utsukushii yoake wo
Tada matte iraretara
Kirei na kokoro deIf only I could wait
For a beautiful dawn
With a pure heart...

Kurai umi to sora no mukou ni
Arasoi no nai basho ga aruno to
Osiete kureta no wa dare
Dare mo ga tadori tsukenai
Soretomo dareka no kokoro no naka niWho told me that
There is a land without any conflicts
Beyond the dark seas and skies?
No one can reach that land,
Or perhaps it only exists in someone's heart

Mizu no nagare wo shizumete
Kureru daichi wo uruosu shirabe
Ima wa doko nimo nakutemo
Kitto jibun de te ni ireruno
Itsumo, itsuka, kittoA melody that can quench the thirst
Of the land that calms the waters' flow
Even if it does not exist anywhere right now,
I will come to possess it
Always, someday, for sure

Mizu no akashi wo kono te ni
Subete no honoo wo nomikonde nao
Hiroku yasashiku nagareru
Sono shizukesa ni tadoritsuku no
Itsumo, itsuka, kitto
Anata no te wo tori...Let the token of water be in my hands
Even after engulfing all the flames,
It still continues to flow, gently and broadly
I will reach its tranquility
Always, someday, for sure
With your hand in mine...

The arrangement is beautiful, so Kajiura-ish. But I didn't really understand the whole meaning. Maybe because I don't follow the series it's used on (Mizu no Akashi is an insert song for Gundam Seed). Maybe I find the term "mizu no akashi" (token of water? I knew "akashi" as "proof" or "record"). When combined the words feel just strange. But I still enjoy the song.

I want to be loved, but you don't seem to love me
I wander about, within that repetition
I found a single answer; even scared, and even hurt
I can tell the person that I love "I love you"
Do you love me? Do you not love me?
It doesn't matter to me either way
No matter how much I wish for it
There are a lot of things in this world that can't be changed
That's right, and only the fact that I love you
Is a truth that's unchangeable by anyone
Passing through one thousand nights, I want to tell you
There's something that I have to tell you
I want to be loved, but you don't seem to love me
I wander about, within that repetition
I found a single answer; even scared
And even hurt, I can tell the person that I love "I love you"
Putting my feelings into words is scary
But I can tell the person that I love "I love you"
I can't express in words, the joy of meeting you in this big world
So we smile, singing about the autumn that passes by in vivid colors, with a "do-re-mi"
We turn our backs on the winter, waiting for the sunlight streaming through the trees in spring
And are reborn again anew, so that we can protect someone
When I looked back on the path that I came down, and my destination, I would always do it with timid eyes
I want to face you, but I can't be honest
I, who repeatedly went through days of not being able to love his partner honestly
And hated being alone on that day
Seemed to love people in a flawless way
Passing through one thousand nights, I want to tell you
There's something that I have to tell you
I want to be loved, but you don't seem to love me
I wander about, within that repetition
I found a single answer; even scared
And even hurt, I can tell the person that I love "I love you"
Even if those feelings don't come true, I can tell the person that I love "I love you"
And that's the most wonderful thing in the world

Re: Song Lyrics Thread

AXIS
Created by STEREO DIVE FOUNDATION
Hizumiyuku kankaku ni mikansei na ruupu wo keshite
Rinkaku wo kaeru sekai sutetai nara
Reborn again
Kansokusha ni koudou yokusei sareta itanshi no
Ribirudo koeta shoumeiron
Hajiketonda rojikku to
Kyoumei shita kono toki wo ima tsunaida nda
Pay back bring back face up the light
Take everything you want now here we go everybody
Pay back bring back face up the light
Take everything you want
Meguru kioku to toki no nagare ni kienai you
Ikusen no kanousei wo kizanda haruka sekai
Owari naki sadame wo
Rebuild and break it down
Renzoku shite iku souzou no ruutsu wo
Shinborikku ni kakageta no wa
Boukansha shiten no kuusou wo
Nigurekuto shitai kara
Keishou uchinarasu messeeji
Fikushon meita zatsuon de
Konzai sareta nansensu wo
Haijo shita nda
Dishonored by no name
Didn’t want to give this up brace yourself
Distorted by no sound
Did it right to real
Breaking through the wall
Pay back bring back face up the light
Take everything you want now here we go everybody
Pay back bring back face up the light
Take everything you want
Ikudo to nai saisei wo eranda kansokusha yo
Kakushin wo matazu hateru sekai wo miokureba ii
Nothing to remain
The image is blurry like a fading silhouette
Taking another step into the brand new day
Create own system in the center of the world
I am the axis
Meguru kioku to toki no nagare ni kienai you
Ikusen no kanousei wo kizanda haruka sekai
Owari naki sadame wo
Rebuild and break it down

The Acoustic version to it really helps with trying to say the same words IMO and then taking it to the original version of the song. Also the Pay Back Pay Back Face Up The Light, is my favorite part.